Avalon Short Suite
A TASTE OF THE RHINE
5 DAYS FROM FRANKFURT TO AMSTERDAM & REVERSE
Sail through the stunning Rhine Gorge on your way to Rüdesheim—the Rhine Valley’s wonderful wine country. Hear the sounds of oom-pah-pah of a Mechanical Music Museum like no other! Soak in Boppard’s forest views after a cup of authentic German coffee. You’ll explore the historic city of Cologne and see its grand gothic cathedral with the soaring twin steeples. You may choose to join a guided walking tour of Cologne’s important Jewish heritage sites. Enjoy a classic Kölsch lager to toast your Rhine River cruise! Next, you’ll arrive in colorful Amsterdam for a guided canal cruise through the city’s iconic waterways of the Golden Age.
Day 1 Frankfurt (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Rüdesheim—Koblenz: Choice of visit Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum in Rüdesheim; free time in Koblenz
Day 3 Cologne: Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tour
Day 4 Amsterdam: Canal cruise
Day 5 Amsterdam (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning
THE HEART OF GERMANY
6 DAYS FROM NUREMBERG TO FRANKFURT & REVERSE
Enter a world where imperial dynasties lived with a guided tour of its Romanesque cathedral amid the seven hills crowned with churches. Take a guided tour of the quaint town of Volkach and its half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets, then visit Bavaria’s largest wine-producing region with a visit to Kitzingen. Your guided tour will share legends of folklore, before cruising to wonderful Würzburg. Enjoy a guided tour of its Old Main Bridge, fortress, and frescoed ceiling of its baroque Bishop’s Residence along the famed Romantic Road. You’ll visit a Main River Village for a picturesque day in Bavaria, and continue to Frankfurt for a guided excursion to magnificent Heidelberg Castle, then visit a Main River Village for a picturesque day in Bavaria.
Day 1 Nuremberg (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Bamberg: Guided tour, see the Old Town Hall; beer tasting on board
Day 3 Volkach—Kitzingen: Guided tours
Day 4 Würzburg: Choice of guided tour, visit the Bishop’s Residenz, or guided hike
Day 5 Main river village: Guided walk
Day 6 Frankfurt (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning
A TASTE OF THE DANUBE
4 DAYS FROM BUDAPEST TO VIENNA & REVERSE
Through the natural beauty of Austria’s Wachau Valley, past quaint towns and villages—and stops in charming towns and cities of Slovakia and Austria along the way—you’ll fall in love with this river cruise along the Danube River. Board your ship in Budapest, Hungary, and relax with a glass of wine atop the Sky Deck as you make your way upriver. Glide through the middle of two countries for a 58-mile stretch as the border between Hungary and Slovakia is in the center of the Danube River. You’ll come to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. This dynamic city lies at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. Visit the gothic St. Martin’s Cathedral, the coronation church for Hungary during the 16th to 19th centuries.
Day 1 Budapest (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Bratislava: Guided sightseeing, visit St. Martin’s Cathedral
Day 3 Melk—Wachau Valley—Dürnstein: Guided tour of the Benedictine Abbey in Melk; scenic cruise through the Wachau Valley
Day 4 Vienna (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning
DANUBE SYMPHONY
6 DAYS FROM DEGGENDORF TO BUDAPEST
Experience views to awaken the senses on your Danube River cruise from Germany to Hungary. Embark from Deggendorf, and sail to the lovely city of Linz for guided sightseeing, including Austria’s largest medieval square and the towering marble Trinity Column. Sail through the picturesque Wachau Valley to Krems and explore the small village—seemingly untouched by the modern world. You may choose to enjoy a wine tasting with a Wine World Experience to discover the secrets of winemaking and its history. Next, sail to Vienna—the City of Music. You’ll marvel at the sights with a guided city tour of Vienna’s gilded landmarks—including the Imperial Palace, the world-famous Vienna Opera House, and stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Visit Bratislava, Slovakia, on your Danube River cruise to explore the quaint streets of Old Town and St. Martin’s Cathedral.
Day 1 Deggendorf (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Linz: Choice of guided walk, or guided hike
Day 3 Wachau Valley—Krems: Scenic cruising through the Wachau Valley; guided walk
Day 4 Vienna: Guided sightseeing
Day 5 Bratislava: Guided sightseeing, visit St. Martin’s Cathedral
Day 6 Budapest (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning
CHRISTMASTIME IN ALSACE & GERMANY
5 DAYS FROM BASEL TO FRANKFURT & REVERSE
This Christmas river cruise begins in Switzerland and takes you down the Rhine River to France and Germany, with beautiful passing views and quaint villages festively lit and decorated—a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate the season! Board your ship in Basel, Switzerland, then stop in Breisach, considered the gateway to Germany’s Black Forest. An area of unrivaled natural beauty, best known for Black Forest ham, cherry cake, and the cuckoo clock. Strasbourg, France, located on the border with Germany, perfectly blends the cultures of both countries. The city is home to one of the oldest and finest Christmas markets in Europe—dating back to the 16th century. Take in the aromas of mulled wine, spice cakes, and biscuits.
Day 1 Basel (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Breisach: Choice of visit to Badische Winzerkeller, or excursion to Black Forest; Christmas market
Day 3 Strasbourg: Guided tour, visit La Petite France district and the gothic cathedral; Christmas market
Day 4 Speyer. Excursion to Heidelberg: Guided tour of Heidelberg Castle, see the Great Vat, Christmas markets; Christmas markets in Speyer
Day 5 Frankfurt (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning
FESTIVE SEASON IN THE HEART OF GERMANY
6 DAYS FROM FRANKFURT TO NUREMBERG & REVERSE
Experience the holiday season the European way! Enjoy the jolly atmosphere on your festively decorated ship as you delight in the sights, smells, and tastes of local traditions. Visit Christmas markets in several ports of call. Locals and visitors alike flock to the charming market stalls, adorned with beautiful lights and selling everything from warm mulled wines, sweets, and hearty regional delicacies to an array of crafts, gifts, and holiday décor.
Day 1 Frankfurt (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Main River Village: Guided tour; onboard cookie-baking demonstration
Day 3 Würzburg: Guided tour, visit the Bishop’s Residenz; Christmas market
Day 4 Bamberg: Onboard Christmas Traditions lecture; guided tour, see the Old Town Hall; Christmas market
Day 5 Nuremberg: Choice of guided tour, or Nuremberg Rally Grounds tour; Christmas market
Day 6 Nuremberg (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning
